MEERUT, June 29 -- In a significant development in the investigation of the firecracker factory explosion that killed five people earlier this month, Hapur police on Friday arrested Saif-ur-Rehman, the operator of the illegal unit. A resident of Bhanda Patti in Hapur, Saif was taken into custody near the Shakarpur underpass on the Delhi highway in Rajabpur while he was waiting to meet his lawyer. After his arrest, the police added section 100 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita-culpable homicide not amounting to murder-to the FIR. Saif was presented before a local court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody. The incident occurred on June 16, when a powerful blast tore through an illegally run firecracker factory near Atarasi village in the Rajabpur area. Four women died on the spot, while a fifth succumbed to her injuries during treatment in Meerut. Several others sustained serious injuries, with three still receiving treatment in hospitals. According to circle officer Shakti Singh, Saif was fully aware of the dangers associated with the firecracker manufacturing process but continued to operate the factory in flagrant violation of safety norms. Explosive materials were being stored in one place, and untrained women workers were made to handle them. The deadly blast reportedly occurred while explosive materials were being compacted into firecrackers. Saif's negligent handling and lack of safety measures have now become the central focus of the police investigation. "Saif was fully aware that a blast could happen at any time, yet he continued the operations with blatant disregard for safety," said CO Shakti Singh. "He allowed untrained workers to handle hazardous materials, and explosives were stored without following any safety measures. At this stage, he is the prime accused and holds sole responsibility for the tragedy." Police officials are still probing whether more individuals were involved in the running or funding of the illegal unit....